Answer:
39
Step-by-step explanation:
Let the three consecutive odd numbers be:
x+2, x+4, x+6.
The sum of the consecutive numbers is 123 i.e
x+2 + (x+4) + (x+6) = 123
x + 2 + x + 4 + x + 6 = 123
3x + 12 = 123
Collect like terms
3x = 123 — 12
3x = 111
Divide both side by the coefficient of x i.e 3
x = 111/3
x = 37
Now let us find the value of the three odd numbers. This is illustrated:
1st : x + 2 = 37 + 2 = 39
2nd : x + 4 = 37 + 4 = 41
3rd : x + 6 = 37 + 6 = 43
The smallest of the three consecutive odd numbers is 39
